COLLEGE STATION — As All Hallow’s Eve approaches, safety should be on everyone’s mind. Both drivers and pedestrians should be cautious as children across the country take to the streets.
According to a passenger safety educator with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the safest time to trick-or-treat is before dark.
“Children should not be out alone — at all,” Marlene Albers says. Parents should always accompany kids even if they’re just going down the streets, around the neighborhood or through an apartment complex.
If planning to go out, adults and children should remember to practice pedestrian safety.
“Pedestrians need to remember to look left, right, then left again before stepping into the street. Remember to walk facing traffic,” Albers says. “And always stop, look and listen.”
Walkers should also use crosswalks and sidewalks when they are provided. And though pedestrians have the right-of-way, they should yield to cars.
“Pedestrians should yield to cars even at a crosswalk. It is never a good idea to challenge a vehicle.”
Another way parents and children can protect themselves is to wear reflective costuming.
“If your costume isn’t reflective already, get reflective tape to put on it. Put it everywhere you can — head, feet, arms, the backs of legs. The object here is to become visible. Carry flashlights or other objects that give off light that allow other pedestrians and drivers to see you,” Albers says.
Drivers should also be wary on Saturday and consider driving at a slower rate through residential areas.
“Motorists need to be observant and remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and marked crosswalks.”
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